Southwest Side Ald. Raymond Lopez threw his support behind Willie Wilson’s campaign for mayor, giving the businessman a potential boost as he makes his third run for City Hall’s top job.
“He will be a mayor that respects and unites ethnic neighborhoods all across Chicago,” Lopez said.
Lopez had announced his own bid for mayor but was unable to match some of his rivals in fundraising and ended up filing to run for reelection to the Southwest Side 15th Ward seat he’s held for two terms. Lopez is a loud supporter of Chicago Police and has been criticized for harsh rhetoric on crime.
Over the last four years, Lopez has been a frequent critic of Lightfoot. He said in November that his decision to drop out of the race against her was “for the good of the city” because “a crowded field only serves to benefit the mayor. Lightfoot must be defeated to save Chicago.”
Asked why he endorsed Wilson instead of one of the other challengers, Lopez said he has worked extensively with Wilson even when it wasn’t campaign season. Wilson gave masks away to his constituents and police at the start of the pandemic, Lopez noted.
